Picnews
I do not describe her as the Sickle Cell General merely as a term of admiration. It is a reflection of her life’s mission and the remarkable journey she embraced. Born in September, the month dedicated to Sickle Cell Awareness, and celebrated by thousands around June, the month that marks World Sickle Cell Day, Toyin Ibidunni Adesola’s story appears to carry a divine alignment with the purpose she was destined to fulfil on earth.
Perhaps Toyin Adesola’s greatest legacy is the Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiative (SAMI) — an organisation she founded in 2008 despite the personal challenges and risks involved. Eighteen years after its establishment, SAMI has grown into a vital support system for thousands of individuals and families affected by sickle cell disorder.
Following her 40th birthday, Toyin Adesola published her autobiography, Still Standing, a defining moment that further amplified her commitment to creating a lasting impact. Through SAMI, she transformed her personal experiences into a platform of hope, healthcare support, education, advocacy and empowerment.
What began as an initiative supporting just one sickle cell warrior has evolved into a comprehensive intervention programme providing medical assistance, awareness campaigns and social empowerment opportunities for countless beneficiaries.
Transforming Sickle Cell Healthcare Support and Management
One of SAMI’s most impactful programmes is the Xtracare Free Medical Clinic, established to support sickle cell warriors who lacked access to the opportunities and healthcare resources available to Toyin herself.
From 2014, the clinic operated monthly for an uninterrupted period of 10 years, offering essential medical support to thousands of beneficiaries. Even during the COVID-19 lockdown, SAMI ensured that patients continued receiving their medications despite the restrictions.
Although reduced resources after the pandemic have changed the clinic’s frequency, SAMI remains committed to ensuring beneficiaries receive adequate medication and support whenever the programme holds. The intervention continues to attract beneficiaries from across Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
In 2019, Toyin introduced the Adopt-A-Warrior Project, an initiative designed to connect high-risk sickle cell warriors with financial support for comprehensive private health insurance coverage. Through this programme, more than 100 warriors have gained access to critical healthcare services, including surgeries, blood transfusions, medical scans, Caesarean procedures and emergency treatments without financial burden.
Championing Sickle Cell Awareness, Education and Advocacy
Beyond healthcare, Toyin Adesola has played a leading role in changing public perception and increasing awareness about sickle cell disorder.
She pioneered the idea of awareness walks, bringing together thousands of people — regardless of their sickle cell status — to advocate for improved healthcare policies and support systems. The Red Umbrella Walk, held annually in commemoration of World Sickle Cell Day on June 19, has become a major advocacy platform and was adopted by the Coalition of Sickle Cell NGOs in 2017.
In 2018, she launched Nigeria’s first weekly sickle cell radio programme, “Touch A Cell with Toyin and the Gang,” which aired on Eko FM and Star FM for four years. The programme later evolved into “Touch A Cell Lori Afefe” on Bond FM, becoming the first indigenous weekly sickle cell radio show, reaching a wider Yoruba-speaking audience.
Her innovative advocacy initiatives also include the Touch A Cell Danceathon, which uses dance to promote awareness; the Positive and Wellness Summit, which provides platforms for conversations around sickle cell and chronic health challenges; the Better You Health Hub, which educates students, healthcare professionals and communities; social empowerment programmes supporting sickle cell warriors in business and career development; and several community health outreaches.
However, Toyin Adesola’s journey is not defined only by achievements, statistics or measurable outcomes. It is equally shaped by the values she embedded into the foundation of SAMI — values that continue to guide the organisation’s mission.
For this purpose, they can be summarised into three words:
Faith. Compassion. Audacity.
Audacity: Challenging Limits and Inspiring Possibilities
Toyin Adesola built SAMI around a powerful belief: “Everywhere humans can succeed is where you can succeed, and it does not matter if you have sickle cell.”
That message became the organisation’s guiding philosophy. It moved from Toyin to the staff, volunteers and beneficiaries, reminding everyone that sickle cell should never define the limits of a person’s dreams.
Since inception, SAMI has operated with a lean workforce, never exceeding eight staff members at any given time, with many team members themselves living with sickle cell disorder.
This spirit of courage explains why the organisation continues to undertake initiatives many would consider difficult. From participating in the Lagos City Marathon annually to raise funds and awareness, to organising the Zero to Hero Conferences through its youth development arm, Club Still Standing, SAMI continues to prove that determination can overcome limitations.
Compassion: Building a Family of Support
Compassion remains at the heart of SAMI’s approach. Toyin Adesola emphasised that solving challenges goes beyond providing financial assistance; it requires building relationships, understanding people’s journeys and creating a sustainable support system.
Everyone who has interacted with Toyin and SAMI can testify to the warmth, acceptance and sense of belonging that define the organisation. Beneficiaries are not treated as statistics but as members of a family whose stories, struggles and aspirations matter.
Faith: The Foundation Behind the Mission
Although SAMI is not a faith-based organisation, Toyin Adesola always described it as an organisation deeply rooted in faith.
The organisation welcomes people from different faith backgrounds, including those who do not subscribe to any particular belief system. Yet, during difficult seasons and moments of uncertainty, faith has remained a source of strength and resilience.
As SAMI marks its 18th anniversary, many may wonder about the future of the organisation, but those who understand its journey know that challenges are simply bends on the road, not the end of the journey.
The legacy of Toyin Ibidunni Adesola deserves to continue through collective commitment and support.
To those who have supported SAMI over the past 18 years, this is a time to renew that commitment. To those encountering SAMI for the first time, this is an opportunity to join a movement dedicated to transforming lives.
You can support SAMI through regular contributions — monthly, quarterly, half-yearly or annually — and become part of sustaining the vision of the Sickle Cell General.
For more information about SAMI, visit: www.sicklecelladvocacy.org�
Continue the mission. Sustain the legacy. Honour Toyin Ibidunni Adesola today.
By ’Yomi Oyelami
